Roads reopened after Crossville gas spill

Two Crossville roads are back open after a fuel leak that caused problems for days.

Crews first noticed the leak more than a week ago in Crossville, but didn't see any major spilling until Friday. Since then, they've worked to clean up the fuel, which made its way into some storm drains.

Tuesday, they reopened Miller and West avenues to traffic.

Crews went underground to check for gasoline in storm drains, but didn't find any.

Authorities say the only cleanup that still needs to be finished is on the gas station's property.

Update: 11:28 p.m.

(WBIR - Crossville) Crews said it could take up to a week before significant progress is made cleaning up a gas leak in Crossville.

Since last Friday, crews have been working to clean up the gas that has made its way into storm drains.

Crews have put up more than three dozen booms to collect the chemicals. Excavators removed the pipes that ruptured and contained the gasoline.

People were concerned the chemicals would reach a nearby retention pond, but officials said this will probably not happen.

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(WBIR - Crossville) The Crossville Fire Department said they are making progress in an ongoing gas leak, making sure it does not make it to the nearby Obed River.

"We've been working on the storm drains all weekend, flushing foam and water, and as we vacuumed the drains out," said Crossville fire chief Mike Turner.

The fire department says they have found the source of the leak and have stopped the flow of the fuel. However, they are still working to clean up the remnants of the leak.

The fire department says they have found the source of the leak and have stopped the flow of the fuel. However, they are still working to clean up the remnants of the leak.

"This type of situation, you're on top of it and the next moment, something can happen, and it has happened a few times.," Chief Turner added.

He was talking about flash fires, which has occurred at least once, when crews dig and accidentally cause sparks.

Crews discovered the leak Friday morning at an Exxon gas station in downtown Crossville at the intersection of West and Miller Avenues. A block of roadway remains closed Monday evening near that station.

Firefighters said the rupture happened in a supply line, spilling gas underground for several blocks down the street. According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the owner of the line is Deloy L. Brown Petroleum, LLC.

For four days now, hazardous materials and fire crews have been fighting to keep the gas out of the water supply.

TDEC has been conducting water quality tests and have not found any impurities. So far, Chief Turner said the fuel has not leaked into drinking water or reservoirs, just to the storm drains.

Crews discovered the leak Friday morning at an Exxon gas station in downtown Crossville at the intersection of West and Miller Avenues. A block of roadway remains closed Monday evening near that station.Firefighters said the rupture happened in a supply line, spilling gas underground for several blocks down the street.

According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the owner of the line is Deloy L. Brown Petroleum, LLC.For four days now, hazardous materials and fire crews have been fighting to keep the gas out of the water supply.

TDEC has been conducting water quality tests and have not found any impurities. So far, Chief Turner said the fuel has not leaked into drinking water or reservoirs, just to the storm drains.

"And we're here for their safety. The firefighters have worked tirelessly since Friday," Chief Turner added.

He said it could be up to a week before the gas station reopens and all roads would be open to traffic.

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The Crossville Fire Department says they thought they had finished cleaning up the gas leak, but then found more gas when they opened a manhole.

They found the gas around 11 p.m. They said they don't know how much gas is underground.

Crews are planning on cleaning all night.

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A gas leak closed a couple blocks of downtown Crossville on Friday.

The gas leak began at eight o'clock in the morning at an Exxon gas station near West and Miller streets. Firefighters say a supply line that carries gas ruptured and spilled gas down the street.

HAZMAT and fire crews gathered the gas at a retention pond a block down the road. That's where they vacuumed it up.

Crews had the streets blocked off for hours as they worked to clean up the spill.

Firefighters say they've been investigating the leak since Saturday but couldn't find the source until Friday.